Locking-closure for burial-vaults.



PATLNTLD JULY 7,1999.

J. W. SPARKS. LOCKING GLOSURL P99 BURIAL VAULTS.

APPLOATION FILED SEPT.6.1907.

UNITED sfra'rns AWTENT OFFICE.

.JOHN W. SPARKS, SABINA, OHIO.

LOCKING-CLOSUR FOR BURIAL-VAULTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented .iuly 7, 190s.

Original application led June 1907, Serial No. 360,923. Divided and this application led September 6, 1907. Serial No. 391,638.

' Vaults; and I do hereby t colare the following A380,923, ii ed June 26, 1907,

lto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

In my application for Patent Serial No. for im )rovenients in mausoleums or burial-v .tults, illustrated and described, as a cell-closure,

v,an improved door or lock-plate Withlastening and locking mechanism carried thereby; which subject-matter is made the basis of this ap I ication, filed as a division oi the .above app ication Serial No. 380,923.

The object of my present invention is to provide an ellicient and practicable closure, together with fastening means therefor, for

vvarious depositories, receptacles or inclosures,more particularly appropriate however for burial-vaults and other storage cells or depositories.

As a further obj ect, my invention provides means whereby the door or plate constituting the closure may be temporarily fastened, and locked if desired, or may become permanently self-locked so that thereafter the door or closure cannot be removed except by demolishing the structure 'of the depository; this being` especiall desirable where the closure is applied to a urial-vault or depository vfor preserving other' objects indefinitely and inaccessibly.

As a further object, my invention provides a closure having means for ellecting a hermetical or air-tight and moisture-tight seal, which is obviously advantageous where the contents of the depository need to be guarded 4against the influence of air and dampness, as

for example a dead body.

These and certain minor objects herein-v to which my mvention is shown applied.

have

Fig. 2 shows the back face of the door or plate constituting the closure, with the fas tening or locking mechanism carried thereby. The lock-bolts carried b the plate or door are shown retracted, w iile their extended positions are indicated bv dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating a modification. Fig. 4 is a front View of the door or lock-plate. Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the door or lock-plate together with an outer plate or tablet which is or may be used in conjunction therewith. Fig. shows in front view yalfragment of said outer plate or tablet with the adjacent portions o' the de ository-walls in section. Fig. 7 is a detai section on line 6 6 of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings by specific refer'- ence symbols, let A denote the walls of a manso eum or burial-vault, having therein a cell C to which my improved closure is shown applied.

G denotes a metal door or plate, preferably of thick steel, ada ted to iit within the mouth or open end of tlie cell, and desirably having a flange xr/ projecting from its back or inner face. Said plate G, being equipped with locking mechanism, may be a propriately termed a lock-plate. At tie back of said plate is a pivotal or rotary disk H, or equivalent element, rigidly mounted on the inner end of an arbor I, which is journaled in and extends through a central opening in the lock plate. At thefront ot' the lock-plate, rigidly-mounted on the outer end of said arbor, is a crank J, preferably a double crankbar equipped with short knobs or handles y', at opposite sides of the arbor, ail'ording a grip for turning the crank and thereby turn- 4the crank-bar J, said lock-bolts K can be moved outward and inward, to engage with or disengage from suitable sockets or catches in the walls of the cells; the turning of the crank J in one direction throwimT out the lock-bolts beyond the perimeter o? the lock plate, and the reverse movement of the crank lli) retraoting said lock-bolts within the perimeter of the plate. The disl lil may have a raised hub la. which will engage and hold the inner ends of the lock-bolts when shoved outward to locking position. li'istead ot' tiro diametricallydocated lock-bolts, it would be praciiealile to employ three or more lock bolts arranged at different positions on the back of the lock-plate, and adapted to engage in corrospondinglymrrang'eil sockets or catches therefor in the cell-walls, though the arrangemei'it shown is preferred.

As shown in Figs. l and 2, adjustable srtscrews kl are tapped through the loops /c and siviveled to small plates or washers lf2, the latter bearing` on the lock-bolts K, so as to hold them tov/ard thc plate. Or, as shown in Fig. 3, similar setescrevrs may pass throi rrjh longitudinal slots in the locleholts und be tapped in the lock-plate ilsell, suitable washers le being interposed betwc .n the lochbolts and the lic-nds of the set rows. rlhis adjusting feature, while cons ituting a sub,- sidiary feature ot my invention, is not indispensable.

The disk H, which may appropriately be termed a fratchet-dish", has a segment ol its periphery provided with ratclwt-teeth le, adapted to be engaged by'a spring-pressed pawl L, which is pirotally-mounte(l on the plate G and normally held in engage-.ment with the teeth ot' the atchet-disk 'll by a spring Z, secured at one end to said plate its free end contacting,l with the upper taceot'said pawl. The arrangement ol'l the ratchetteeth t and pawl L is such as to permit turning the ratchet-disk only in u direction 'to project or torce outward the loch-bolts K. However, the prwl can be disengaged and held disengaged from the ratchet-disk, so as to permit turning the latter in either direction, the purpose of which will appear later. Various oontrivances may be adopted for this purpose; two suitable arrangementsbeing represented in Figs. 2 and 3 respectively.-

ln Fiff. 2 the s rindl is shown bearingl the D. f D f pawi L against the ratchet-d1slc rl o set the pawl out ot engagement, it merely necessary to place the spring under the pawl, or between the pawl and ratchet-disk, indicated by dotted lines; the spring thus doing double duty. ln Fig. 3, the spring Z is shown as a tail-lever of thepawl L, acting between the pivot of the pawl and a stud Z. To disengage the pawl from the ratchet-disk, the spring may be placed under another stud Z2 closer to the ratchet-disk.

Between the disk H and plate G, surrounding the arbor I, it is desirable to interpose a gasket or packing M ot' rubber, asbestos, or

other suitable compressible packingl inalterial, placed in opposed concavities in the confronting faces ol the disk and plate. 'Vlie compression ot this packing, etl'ected by drawlng the disk H against the plate G,

crank-bar occupies when the loch-bolts are thrown outward. Hence, by turning the cranlebar in a direction to force out the bolts, said crank-bar will ride on the inclined surfaces and thereby draw the disk H Vagainst the plate G compressing the aforesaid p'ackingM.

One end ot the eranl l ar J is provided with an apertured lugy or 'tl-ange jl. The irontoi the plate G is provided with a segmental tlang'e gf, located so as to confront the llange j" when the crank-bar J is moved to locking position. The hasp of. the'pad-locli may then be entered through registering apertures in the llanges il and gl, in order to lock the crank-bar in said locked position, tor a purpose hereinafter explained. I

The above described lock-plate G sets or tits Within the mouth or open end of the cell, and may abut against a shoulder or abut ment c therein, the back flange g ol' the plate also h tting' within the Walls of the cell adjacent said shoulder c. Said shoulder is desirably provided lby abruptly enlarging the mouth of the cell, or forminga rabbet around the mouth of the cell. Behind said shoulder c are the recesses or sockets el in the cell-Walls for'threception of the outer ends of the loclsbolts K, or in lieu thereof any suitable catches may be provided for engagement by the loelebolts. The front Walls of said sockets c1 are in this instance shown faced with instal embedded in the cell-walls, the speeichnetal facings shown consisting of substantiel Zshaped-anchors O embedded in the structure in the manner represented in Fig. 1*, The present drawings also show the opposinv surfaces ot' the shoulder and plate G formed with continuous meting or confronting grooves indicated by c2 and g2 respectively, designed toreceive a packing or sealingI substance l), as cement, asbestos, rubber or other suitable material so that when the plate G is shoved back against the shoulder c, the said packing or sealing substance will establish an air-tight connection, which, in addition to the air-tight seal around the arbor I ol the plate G, hernietieally seals the mouth of the cell. To draw the lockplate against the shoulder c, the outer ends of the lock-bolts K are desirably otlset or inclined backwardly from the plate G, so that as said lock-bolts are forced outward and into the recesses c1, they will ride against the metallic anchors or catches 0, and thereby forcibly draw the plate G inward, compressing the packing or seal P between the plate and shoulder c.

Prior to depositing a casket or such other object as is to be preserved or safe-guarded in one of the cells, the lock- )late G thereof is detached, the spring-pawl l@ is disengaged. from the ratchet-disk l-l so as to permit the lock-bolts K to be withdrawn from the recesses or catches in the cell-walls by a reverse turning of the crank-bar J. After depositing a body or casket in the cell, the lock-plate is put i n position, and may be either temporarily or permanently secured, according to circumstances. If only a temporary closure is desired, the awl I is-still held disengaged from the rate et-disk Il, so as to permit turning the crank J in either direction, for moving the lock-bolts into or out of engagement with the sockets or cat-ches in the cellwalls. hen the mechanism of the lockplate is so adjusted for temporary locking, the crank-bar J may be locked in position by means of a pad-lock, the hasp of which may be inserted through apertures in the [langes y" and gl as before mentioned, so as to insure 'against any unauthorized or promiscuous access to the cell. But when'it is desired to make a permanent closure, the pawl Il is released and allowed to engage the ratchetdisk H, and the lock-plate G isthen shoved back into position against its step or shoiilder c, a supply of cement, mortar or the like, ora iacking of other suitable substance, being lfirst interposed in the grooves c2, gl between the lock-plate. and shoulder c. 'lhe crank-bar J is then turned to force the lockbolts K outward and into the recesses or sockets or into engagement with the catches irovided in the cell-walls; and, as said lockliolts move outward, their inclined ends ride against the metallic anchorsV 0, thereby drawing the lock-plate G inward against the shoulder c, and compressing the interposed cement or packing P, while the turning of the crank-bar J on the inclines N also effects com iression of the acking M around the arbor l, as before exp ained, thus liermetically sealing the cell. lt' is now impossible to withdraw the'y lock-bolts K by any means whatsoever, and access tothe cell cannot be had except by demolishing the structure, which, by reason of its strong concrete. formation, is practically secure against depredation.

A tablet D, as an inscription tablet for a burial-vault, is or may be inserted in the mouth of the cell after the. lock-plate (l is'se.- cured in posit-ioii, and it may rest against the front ,of the lock-plate, or, if preferred, there may be an intervening space between the lock-plate and the tablet l) which can be iilled with cement when the ccll is permanently sealed. 'lhe tablet l) is desirably formed witha groove d around its perimeter,

let in place.

sure.

and the mouth of the eell is formed with a mating groove a. ln sealing the cell, said grooves are filled with cement and the tablet D is pushed in place, whereupon the cement in the two grooves will meet and set, forming a secure fastening for the tablet, also making an additional sealing for the cell. lt is necessary, of course, to hold the tablet in position 'until the cement hardens. This may be done by any suitable means. For example, in order to Ihold the tablet temporarily in place, dowel-pins'd1 may be provided in either the upper or lower edge of the tablet, preferably the upper edge, as shown in Figs. 5 and these pins adapted to enter recesses therefor in the corresponding wall of the mouth of the cell. .ln )utting the tablet in place, the tablet would -ln'st beheld in position to engage the dowel-pins in the recesses therefor, and then the tablet would be lifted, and at the same time shoved back into position.

Another means of holdingr the tablet in place, is shown`i`n Figs. 5 and 7-, where bolts or threaded rods are en teredtlrrough loops or hooks yr on the outer face of the lock-plate G; said bolts or rods adapted to pass through holes therefor in the tablet and to receive finished washers and iints r to hold the tab'- 'lhe nuts 1 may be made oi' ornamental designs. This arrangement is especially desirable for the temporary clolt may also be used for the permanent sealing of the cell. either alone, or in combination with the means already described,

'the bolts holding the tablets securely while the cement in the mating grooves a and d hardcns.

l do not, of course, desire to be limited to any specific means for holding the tablet in i place, the means shown herein being illustrated only by way of example; nor is my improvement in the lock-plate and locking mechanism essentially limited to the use therewith of an outer tablet. i

Instead of recesses c in the cell-walls for reception of the lock-bolts K, the cell-walls may be provided with suitable projections behind which the lock-bolts will engage, said projections being {irinly anchored in the walls. Said projections, with additional ones if necessary, may also take the place of the shoulder or abutment c, in cases where it is desired to inake `the cell of a uniform crosssectional arca throughout its length. 'lhese anil other modifications in details are comprehended within the scope of my invention` l claim as my invention and desire tosccure by Letters Patent of the United States: l. A plate or door adapted as,a closure for vault-cells and having in combination, lockbolts adapted to ei'igage catches or sockets in the walls of said cells, means for movingr said lock-bolts outward .and inward, and means for lixing the lock-bf)ltspermanently or nondetecliabljT will.

2. A plate or door adapted as a clesure for vault-cells and equipped with inechanisni for engaging and disengaging ineans in the walls of said cells, said mechanism havingf ine-ans wherebyv it may he permanently sei, in locked position without permitting subsequent iinlccking thereof. v

3. A plate or door adapted as a closure for vault-cells, locking n'iechanisin carried thereby, actuating ineans on the iront'. of said plate opeiatively-connected with said mechanism for lockinr sind unlockingvand means on and accessible only atI the back of said plate adapted to be opnatively-connected with said mechanism so to prevent unlockingl thereof aller said mechanism has been moved' to locking position.

fl. A. plete or door adapted a closure lor vaullfcells and having, in combination, a crank on the front of said plate, a disk on the back of said plate, an arbor iournaled in said plete on which said crank and disk are rigidly mounted, lock-bolts *for engaging in or with devices in the walls of the depository, the inner ends of said lock-bolts being pivotally-attached to said dislnaiid ineens on the back ol sainL plate to prevent reverse turning of said disk after it has been turned in a direction to nieve ourw'ardly the loch-bolts,

5. A plate or door adapted as a closure for vault-cells and having, in combination, a crank on the freni el said plaie, a dish on the ,back of said plate, an arbor iciii'naled in said plate on which said crank and dislr are rigu idly mounted, and loelc--holts for engaging in or willi devices in the walls of the cell, he inner ends of said lock-bells being; pivoinllyattachei'l io seid rachebieeli, `a spring-pressed pewi on ihe plate adapted tdengage said ratizhet-locth,

whereby hedisl( can be turned onl)` in :i directionic force out the loelnbolis, and ineens for holding said -pawl disengaged lroni said ratchebteeivh to allow inoving; ihe lock-bolts in either direction.

A plate or door adapted a closure for Vault-cells and having, in eoinliiiiaiioii, a crank on the lront of said Diele, a dish on the i, said disli hsvingv in outward or locked position at l back of said plate, an arbor journaled in said plaie on which said crank and disk are rig'- .noiiiitedY and loch-bolts for engaging in or with. devices in the walls of the cell, the

inner ends of said lock-bolts being pivotally attached to said. disk, means for guiding said leali-bolts, and adjustingscrews for holding the lock-bolts toward the plate. v

7. The combination in a vault-cell, of a plate or door adapted to set therein, a crank on the front of said plate, a disk on the beek of said plate, an arbor journaled in said plate on which said crank and disk are f rigidly inouned, and lock-bolts for engaging in 0i' with devices in the cell-walls, the inner ends of said lock-bolts being pivotalljwattached to said disk, a packing' interposed between said disk and plane around said arbor, and an inclined surface on the front of the plate on which said crank will ride when inoved to locking position, thereby conipressingl said packing. v

8. The combination in. a vault-cell, of a plate or door adapted tosei; therein, a crank on the ironi, of siiid plate, a dish on the back of said plete, an arbor journeled in said plate on which said crank and disk are rigidly mounted, and lock-bolts for engaging in or with devices in the cell-walls, the inner ends of said leek-bolts being pivoially attached to said dish', said crank having an apertured flange or lug, and en apertured flange or lugl on the iront ol said plate which said first mentioned flange confronts when the crank is turned io locking position, wlierebiY the n hasn oi`|` e.. paddock can be inserted through said flanges.

i), 'The conibinnion with ilielocli-plate, airing bolts or threaded rods ,moliere-ling from maier face, ol the tablet adapted io lit in he mouth of the cell, and having apertures o 4 bolts and nuts or screw caps said holes on the outside of the La i `n iesliinoiiy whcreol l ali'ix in v signature, in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN W. LSPAv lib',

liitnesses:

"iiioiiiis W. (kunnen, Geo; C. Manns.

ffl 

